Inspired by ER, Nurse Starts a Nonprofit that Feeds the Homeless

Read the story of how one ER nurse took the suffering she witnessed and transformed it through good deeds. She now feeds the homeless once a month as part of a nonprofit she created.

As a nurse in the Emergency Room, Rae Mangat has witnessed firsthand her fair share of suffering. And often, it comes in the form of people struggling with homelessness, who come into the ER simply in need of a hot meal.

This is part of what inspired her to start her own nonprofit — the Sikh Sewa Society of Reno.

Mangat has gathered members of her temple and other Renown Health employees to join her in giving back for the last three years. Once a month, she and her nonprofit volunteers buy ingredients and cook meals to feed more than 400 people struggling with homelessness.

“I wanted to do something for the community and have our Renown members help me do this,” she said. “I’ve been at Renown for 14 years, and it brings the doctors and nurses together as a family making positive changes.”

Feeding the Homeless

The group’s volunteers each contribute their own money to buy ingredients and fresh produce for the meals. Then, together they prepare the meals at the Sikh Temple Reno and take them to the Community Assistance Center the last Sunday of every month.

Part of the goal of the Sikh Society of Reno is to make residents more aware and accepting of their religion.

“It’s part of our religion and faith to be helpful,” said Jesse Bhatia, Secretary for the Sikh Society of Reno.

Dr. Sam Shields, MD, Emergency Medicine, South Meadows Medical Center and his wife, Julia, are also among the volunteers. They contribute the dessert each month for the meals, which is usually about 400 cookies. They also help with cooking and serving the meals.

Volunteers Pay it Forward

“These people are just absolutely grateful,” said Julia. “They are so humble, and so much gratitude is given to you because they’re getting food, which they desperately need. You get paid back in full and then some.”

Renown is proud to support its employees who are living out the mission of making a genuine difference in the communities they serve.